I don't own Harry Potter.

Thanks for reviews: Marietta, Atala444, Eawynne, visitor, Saint Snape, chellehill, Jaspreet

This chapter is alittle short, but at least its longer then the last one! And a quicker update, too.

Chapter 37 "Second Thoughts"

Lily bustled around Severus' apartment, straightening up for Remus' arrival. She was feeling nervous, like she was going behind Severus' back.

Which she was, Lily thought as she threw a pile of clothes onto the bed. She was starting to think it wasn't such good idea to invite Remus to stay.

Last night it was just natural for her to want to help, especially since they were fighting Voldemort together. It made her feel closer to him somehow. But now it could almost be compared to when you were drunk the night before and did something incredibly stupid, and when you woke the next morning you felt terribly guilty and wished it hadn't happened. If only there was some way she could take back what she said...she just hoped Severus would'nt be mad.

Lily jumped when she heard a steady rhythmic knocking on the shop door downstairs. That must be Remus. Her heart was in her throat as she hurried to the door. This was such a stupid thing to do, how could she be so naive?

Remus waved at her through the glass as she came closer. He was shifting nervously on the balls of his feet, and hope grew in Lily's chest; perhaps he didn't feel right either, and he would say he found a different place? He was, after all, the one who expressed concerns about how Severus might feel the night before.

Lily put on a smile as she let him into the shop. "Remus! Hi."

"Hey, Lily." he wrung his hands together and paused in the doorway. "Look, I really appreciate you letting me stay here, but I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" Lily frowned as she noticed sweat beginning to bead on Remus' forehead and make its way down his nose. He lifted a hand to swipe it away, but more droplets replaced them, and he quickly gave up.

"I need to tell you something about myself. Something you may not like."

Lily stared at him. Was he about to tell her something that had to do with James? Something about school? Did he really enjoy teasing Severus?

"I have a...a disease." Remus forced out, looking down at the floor. "It's not common, but it can be dangerous to the people around me."

Lily tilted her head and surveyed Remus. What was the big deal? If it was something contagious, she would be able to help him. She felt that need to help growing inside her chest and she cursed herself. Before Lily knew it, her hand had found its way to Remus' forearm and her mouth was moving, saying words of comfort. "I'm a Healer, Remus. I'm sure that won't be a problem. I can help you."

Remus looked at her with an expression that was hard to read; his brows were furrowed and his mouth was trembling almost as if he was trying to hold back tears. He took three deep breaths and looked at the floor before he spoke.

"No, it can't be treated. I have to live with it for the rest of my life." Remus let out the breath he had been holding in. "I have lycanthropy. I'm a werewolf."

Lily froze, her eyes glued to Remus' face in shock.

"I know, you're disgusted. Everyone always is. That's why I'm in this mess. Word gets out and spreads like wildfire." Remus snorted bitterly. "I wanted to tell you and I understand if you don't want me here."

Lily didn't reply, she simply retained that shocked expression that Remus was far too used to now and he stepped away from her so that her hand fell away from his arm. "I'll go-"

Lily, against her prior insecurities about letting him stay and realizing that this was the perfect excuse to tell him he couldn't be here, grabbed his hand to stop him from leaving. She would not allow herself to be like the others who pushed people down because they were different. She would not be like James.

"I don't care what you are. You can still stay." Lily said softly and gave him a small smiled.

"Are you sure?" Remus' mouth dropped in surprise, eyes wide. It was his turn to wear the shocked expression. No one had ever accepted this about him before, except the Marauders and Dumbledore, of course. But that was only because Dumbledore thought it would be an asset, having somebody to be able to go behind the lines and relate to the not-so-tame werewolves.

"Yes." Lily gave him a quick hug, feeling him stiffening in her grip. She expected that he didn't get very much human contact. "We'll just have to work something out for when you transform, that's all."

Remus' face broke into the widest grin Lily had ever seen, and she mirrored that expression.

"I cleared some space for you upstairs already." Lily said.

"Thank you so much, Lily." Remus said gratefully. "I mean it. No one has ever just brushed it off, they all just look at me like I'm a freak, they give me disgusted looks...just thank you." Remus eyes' glistened with tears and Lily looked away so he wouldn't be embarrassed and started walking toward the upstairs to show Remus around.

"You're welcome." she whispered, and just hoped with all her heart that Severus would not mind.

Well, at least Lily feels guilty now about letting Remus stay. I wonder what Severus' reaction will be? :)